Maine drops residency requirement for pot retailers

​​​​​​​STATEWIDE – Maine is no longer requiring state residency for recreational marijuana retailers.

The decision comes after lawyers in Maine’s attorney general’s office reviewed a pending lawsuit filed against the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services.

That lawsuit alleged the residency requirement for recreational marijuana businesses was in violation of the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution by favoring Maine residents over nonresidents.

Smaller pot retailers are now worried about big business moving in.

“You know, we’ve seen it before with these large companies that come in and try to use over regulation and try to put the competition out of business,” said Paul McCarrier, owner of 1 Mill Belfast.

“I’m only hoping that we’re going to have our elected state representatives and our elected state senators and, hopefully, our governor, who will continue to look out for Maine businesses and be able to protect us,” he said.

The federal lawsuit was dismissed Monday and the state agreed to no longer enforce the marijuana residency requirement.

In a statement, Office of Marijuana Policy Director Erik Gunderson said regardless of the announcement, the office will continue to “work diligently to fulfill its obligations to the industry and public.”